Dog owners would probably love to know what their pets are thinking. Unfortunately, our dogs can't tell us, so it's hard to see if they're truly happy or just surviving.
Even though no one can read your dog's mind, veterinarians are the closest thing we have to dog interpreters, and they say certain behaviors and patterns can indicate that your dog is happy and content. (And, no, tail-wagging does not necessarily mean your dog is full of joy.)
Here are vets' tips on how to tell if your dog is happy and how to make him happier:
𝟏. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐭.
It's hard to be joyful when your basic needs are unmet.
According to Dr. Kate Anderson, a veterinary behaviorist at Cornell University's Duffield Institute for Animal Behavior in New York, a dog is happy when their needs are met.
According to Anderson, there are five freedoms of animal welfare – freedom from hunger and thirst, freedom from discomfort, freedom from pain, injury, and disease, and freedom from fear and distress.
Today, Anderson noted, dogs' happiness goes beyond simple criteria like these. (The same goes for human happiness, as evidenced by the thousands and thousands of self-help books on the subject.) However, meeting their basic needs is an excellent first step.
𝟐. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐱𝐞𝐝.
Anderson said that happy dogs should have loose body language. They shouldn't be tense, their ears shouldn't be pulled back, and their eyes shouldn't be white. The tail should be at a normal angle to their body, such as 90 degrees or just relaxed, depending on their breed.
According to Dr. Kristi Flynn, a primary care veterinarian at the University of Minnesota's College of Veterinary Medicine, dogs shouldn't be leaning back or standing with paws up.
Dogs lying out in the yard in the sun, on their sides with their bodies relaxed, are signs of a happy or content dog, Flynn agreed.
If your dog's movements are loose and they look like noodles, they are probably quite happy.
𝟑. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐱𝐞𝐝.
Flynn explained that dogs' and humans' facial muscles are similar, so certain facial expressions can indicate how they feel.
According to her, these include a relaxed appearance around the eyes and mouth, as well as the absence of a furrowed brow.
When you're upset, your mouth probably droops, and your eyes squint. This is not the look of a happy person (or dog). If you notice a calm, relaxed look on your dog's face, you can be sure they're so glad.
𝟒. 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞.
“It's not that dogs don't want novelty and excitement, but they don't want the whole world to be constantly different,” Anderson said. “It's not that they don't want novelty, but they don't want the whole world to be constantly different.”.
The most challenging times of the year for dogs are when human schedules shift. This may happen during the holidays, on a big trip, or on the first work day.
Although vacations and returning to work are out of your control, it's important to maintain a routine with your pet as much as possible and establish a new routine when changes must be made.
𝟓. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐞𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞, 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧, 𝐨𝐫 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐳𝐳𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐲𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭.
Pets need plenty of exercise; it will not only keep their weight in check but also enrich their lives.
“I categorize exercise under enrichment, and enrichment is a pretty broad topic,” Anderson explained. “It's kind of what you do for yourself.”
For dogs, moving around counts, engaging with a puzzle toy, or attending a training class.
In addition to advocating and using evidence-based, humane training methods for my dogs, Flynn recommends the same for clients and pet owners because it reduces stress and conflict. Flynn also pointed out that keeping your dog's mind sharp regardless of how old (or young) they are is essential. Your puppy does not have to stop learning because they are housebroken or knows basic commands.
“That can really make them happy, and it's a great way to bond with your pet,” Flynn said.
𝟔. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦.
Despite their body language, your dog cannot tell someone to back off – but you can.
Flynn said it's OK to express your dog's comforts and discomforts to people around you, whether they're your family or strangers.
Some dogs are social, while others are introverted, she said. If you end up with a shy dog, you must advocate for them by making your pet known to others. You might ask strangers not to pet your dog or tell friends to leave your dog alone.
“I think sometimes I've inadvertently put my dog in a position where he wasn't as comfortable as he could have been,” Flynn said.
Although it's not something people learn right away, Flynn said giving each other's dogs a little more space would be nice.
It's essential to respect dogs' boundaries and give them space.
Dogs also have preferences, and if you force them to go against their natural instincts or unique personalities, you'll be taking away from their joy.